5 Types of Security Camera Cables
Video surveillance system also know as CCTV system, is a set of electronic appliances that have embedded image capture capabilities. Allows video images or other extracted information to be compressed, stored and transmitted over communication networks or via digital data links. They are generally used for monitoring environments.
In this discussion, the different security camera cable types that interconnect the various components of a typical video surveillance system are going to be explained in details.
Coaxial Cables
Coaxial cables are thick ropes of wire or non-metallic fiber, which consist of an inner insulated core of stranded or solid wire are surrounded by outer insulated flexible wire braids. It is primarily used by cable TV companies to connect their satellite antenna facilities to customer homes and businesses. It is also sometimes used by telephone companies to connect central offices to telephone poles near customers.
PROs
Durable
They are relatively long lasting as compared to most other CCTV cables. Reason of being made of very tough materials that are ordinarily resistant to the elements of wear and tear.
Versatile
They may be used for a variety of applications such as transmission of radio-frequency signals, construction, towing vehicles, and mooring ships.
Distance
They may be used to relay signals over moderately longer physical distance.
Reliable
They are very reliable in the sense that the signals they transmit are shielded from external electrical interferences by a layer of insulating material.
CONs
Costly
They are relatively more expensive than other ordinary security camera cables owing to their comparatively high quality.
Siamese Cables
Siamese cables are coaxial cables with a set of power wires are attached. These power wires may be split off from the coaxial cables, in the event that the power source is farther away from the recording device.
PROs
Versatile
These security camera cables may be used to transmit both data and power at the same time. They thus return very high value for money and are hence very worthy purchases.
Data Integrity
The cables are structured in such a manner as to allow the transmission of power without any undue interference with the transmission of video. This greatly enhances the reliability of data.
Simplidfied Operations
They may be used to relay signals over moderately longer physical distance.
Adaptablity
Owing to the fact that both power and data are transmitted in the same cable, the process of setting up a video surveillance system is greatly simplified.
CONs
Intricate
They are more complicated to handle, install and operate when compared to other video security cables.
Twisted Pair Cable
Twisted pair is the ordinary copper wire that connects home and many business computers to the telephone company. To reduce cross-talk or electromagnetic induction between pairs of wires, two insulated copper wires are twisted around each other. Each connection on twisted pair requires both wires. Since some telephone sets or desktop locations require multiple connections, twisted pair is sometimes installed in two or more pairs, all within a single cable. For some business locations, twisted pair is enclosed in a shield that functions as a ground. This is known as shielded twisted pair (STP). Ordinary wire to the home is unshielded twisted pair.
The camera wire you buy at a local hardware store for extensions from your phone or computer modem to a wall jack is not twisted pair. It is a side-by-side wire known as silver satin. The wall jack can have as many five kinds of hole arrangements or pinouts, depending on the kinds of camera wire the installation expects will be plugged in (for example, digital, analog, or LAN) . (That’s why you may sometimes find when you carry your notebook computer to another location that the wall jack connections won’t match your plug.)
PROs
Signal Integrity
These cables greatly reduce crosstalk and electromagnetic inductions between pairs of camera wires, which consequently ensure that the integrity of the signals in transit is upheld at all times.
Cons
Less Durable
These are generally less durable and are also prone to physical destruction
Optical Fiber Cable
Optical fiber is a very thin strand of pure glass which acts as a waveguide for light over long distances. It uses a principle known as total internal reflection. Fiber optic cable is actually composed of two layers of glass: The core, which carries the actual light signal, and the cladding, which is a layer of glass surrounding the core. The cladding has a lower refractive index than the core. This causes Total Internal Reflection within the core. Most fibers operate in duplex pairs: one fiber is used to transmit and the other is used to receive.
But it is possible to send both signals over a single strand. There are two main types of fiber optic cables: Single-Mode Fiber (SMF) and Multi-Mode Fiber (MMF). The difference is basically in the size of the core.
MMF has a much wider core, allowing multiple modes (or “rays”) of light to propagate. SMF has a very narrow core which allows only a single mode of light to propagate. Each type of fiber has different properties with its own advantages and disadvantages.
PROs
Fast
These data cables transmit information at amazingly high speeds. They are thus preferable for those situations that require faster transfer of data rates and as minimal delays as possible.
Efficient
They carry out their tasks of transmitting data with ruthless efficiency. That’s because the signals in transit are not subject to electromagnetic interferences and do not need to be re-transmitted.
Large Capacity
The typical optical fiber handles much more information than conventional copper wires. They, therefore, return maximum value for money to the users.
Longer Distance
They are quite suitable for use in extremely long distances such as between two continents.
Cons
Labor Intensive
They require plenty of manpower to install and maintain.
Delicate
The glass fibers require more protection within an outer cable. Any slight scratch will usually compromise the ability of the cables to transmit signals effectively.
Complicated
A fair mastery of intricate electronics engineering jargon is needed to handle and operate them.
Expensive
They are by far the most expensive CCTV camera cables.
Video Power Cables
PROs
Simplicity
They are plug-and-play friendly
Versatile
They transmit video signals and also supply DC Power to the CCTV Security cameras at the same time.
Affordable
They are relatively cheap and hence within the easy reach of any prospective user.
Cons
Limited distance
They are only usable within a limited range and are hence unsuitable for longer distances
Power Cable
A power cable is an assemblage of one or more electrical conductors, that are usually held together by an overall sheath and used for the transmission of electrical power.
PROs
Safety
They are very safe due to the fact that they may be buried underground or ran overhead, way out of the harm of the home residents.
Permanency
These cables may be made a permanent part of a building structure and are hence cheaper in the long run.
Cheaper
They too are relatively cheaper and quite affordable.
Cons
Limited Applicability
They are only used to transmit electrical energy, not video data. They therefore return very low value for money.
Ethernet cables
Ethernet is the traditional technology for connecting wired local area networks (LANs), enabling devices to communicate with each other via a protocol — a set of rules or common network language.
PROs
Reliability
Very easy to use, nor like some technical problems like limited, cannot
be a connection problem that is observed quite frequently in wireless.
Speed
It gives you fast, secured,reliable transmission across them.
Data Security
Use common firewalls for data security.
Cons
Infrastructure Requirements
You must have the necessary wiring and equipment. Also, you will need a port on the switch for each wired device.
Distance Limitations
Each wire has maximum length from the network adapter on the computer to the hub/switch/router/gateway. (Approximately 100m (328ft) for Cat 5/5e UTP (unshielded twisted pair) cables).
How to choose cable type for your CCTV system?
Data Rate Requirements
Different installations require different rates of data transfer. The ordinary home requires less speed as compared to large installations such as hospitals. The required data transfer rates have thus to be ascertained first after which the cable that is able to deliver those rates is to be identified.
Length/Distance
This refers to the total distance which the cable is anticipated to cover. The cable has to be slightly longer than the total distance it is to cover to ensure that it interconnects all the various components conveniently.
Financial Endowment
The decision as to which type of cable shall be eventually acquired largely boils down to the financial strength of the prospective user. The prospective user is therefore advised to carry out comparisons of various types of CCTV cables first before settling for one that is well within his means.
Nature of the Video Surveillance Equipment
This refers to how sophisticated the video surveillance equipments such as CCTV camera and CCTV camera cable are. More sophisticated equipment equally requires more sophisticated cables such as optical fiber cables and vice versa.
Brands
The field of home security system data cables is awash with numerous players. However, some manufacturers are reputed for making very high quality products. They include: Draka, Belden, Canford and Canare. Priority should therefore go to them before other brands are considered.
Data Security Features
The CCTV cable of choice has to be preferably shielded in order to guarantee the integrity of the signals in transit, screen out any undesirable interferences and noise, and to ensure maximum durability.
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About us
The average home owner or prospective user definitely lacks the technical expertise needed to properly identify and choose the CCTV cable that is most suitable for his needs. Consequently, the intervention of a consulting firm that is capable of guiding the prospective clients in making the right decision is therefore by all means necessary.
CCTVSG.net is an example of such a company. It basically tests, evaluates and guides consumers in purchasing the right surveillance equipment. To get started, you can visit our website CCTVSG.net or Contact Us is all that is necessary. A member of its customer care department is always on standby and very eager to receive any incoming inquiries and act on them soonest possible.